Carolina Grace (Southern Breeze Series Book 3)

by Regina Rudd Merrick

  Emma got out of the car at Tom and Lucy’s house, smiling as she heard young Hayes in the back yard and a baby crying inside. Lots of life in this household.

  Tom’s sister, Charly, met her at the door, holding a sleeping MariAnne. “Hi, Emma, Lucy’s changing Evan. Blowout.” Charly wrinkled her nose as if the smell was still in the air.

  “Ouch. It’s been a while, but I remember those.”

  Hayes picked that moment to careen through the screen door and into the hallway. “Hi, Miss Emma. Did you come to see the babies?”

  “The babies, and you too. How is the big-brother business going?”

  “Good. They sleep and poop a lot.”

  “They do, don’t they? Give them time, and they’ll be good playmates for you.”

  “I hope so.” He looked troubled for a moment, and then his face cleared. “Where’s Sophie?”

  “She’s at a friend’s house. She’ll be upset I came to your house without her.”

  “Yeah. Sophie’s pretty.”

  Emma exchanged a smile with Charly. “Do you think so?”

  He nodded with enthusiasm. “When I get bigger, I want to go on a date with her. Aunt Charly went on a date.”

  Charly turned bright red and cleared her throat. “How did you know that, young man?”

  “I hear stuff.”

  “Oh, you do, do you?”

  “When people think I’m just playing, I’m really listenin’.”

  Emma tried to choke back a laugh. “I guess we’ll have to be careful what we say around you, won’t we?”

  He seemed to think about that a minute. “I hope not. Tell Sophie hi for me, ’k?”

  “I will, Hayes.”

  Lucy came in the room with Evan. “Fresh as a daisy. That particular blowout was far-reaching. I even had to change clothes.”

  The ladies laughed as she handed Evan to Emma. “I could tell you wanted to hold one, and I didn’t dare take MariAnne away from Charly. “She winked at her sister-in-law. “Besides, I don’t think there’s any danger of mess. It’s hard to believe one baby could hold that much ick.” She turned to Charly. “What time are you meeting Jared?”

  Charly looked at the clock. “In about forty-five minutes. You two go ahead and talk business, and I’ll mind the babies.”

  “I don’t think I want to let this one go.” Emma cuddled little Evan closer, relishing the feel of him in her arms.

  “That’s fine. I’ll be in the living room, and if you need me, holler.” Charly sauntered into the next room, leaving Lucy and Emma in the kitchen to talk business.

  “So, what’s coming up?” Lucy got out her calendar as Emma pulled hers from her bag.

  “We’ve got the Rowan wedding next weekend at Atalaya Castle, then the Bennington wedding the following weekend on the beach and grounds at Pilot Oaks.”

  “Aren’t you glad Sarah had her reception there? It’s turned into such a great venue.”

  “It has. Robert and Linda are great to work with too.” She looked down at the drowsy baby boy and back up at Lucy. “How are you doing? I don’t want to push you to get back to work before you’re ready.”

  Lucy gave her friend and partner a tender smile. “I know. I’m doing okay. You know how it is with infants, there are good days and bad days, and with two, it makes it that much more volatile. If I can help you behind the scenes for a while, I’m glad to do that. Charly mentioned that she might be available to help on a part-time basis this summer.”

  Emma perked up. “Would she? That would be perfect. I could use the help at the venues.”

  “Charly?” Lucy shouted into the next room, making baby Evan startle and his face begin to crumple. “Oh, I forgot. I’m so used to shouting for Hayes or Tom in this big house.” Lucy shrugged when he relaxed. “I guess he’s getting used to it.” Her quiet laugh made Emma laugh too.

  Lucy was a tonic, as she found out upon meeting her, planning Sarah’s wedding. Funny how an offhand comment about becoming her “paht’ner” came to fruition in such a blessed way.

  “Yeah, Luce? I got MariAnne to sleep and in her bassinet.”

  Lucy looked at Emma. “See? She’s great help.”

  Emma laughed. “Charly, would you consider working part-time for me this summer while Lucy’s still on maternity leave? For pay, of course.”

  “Would I? Yes! My summer class will be Monday through Thursday, but I’ll have Fridays and Saturdays free.”

  “Unless you have a hot date.”

  “Lucy . . .”

  “Hey, the cat’s out of the bag, per Hayes, remember?” Emma laughed at Charly’s reddening cheeks.

  “Yeah, well, we’ll see. I would love to help you out. Date or no date.” Charly winked and sashayed back into the living room, turning back to blow them both a kiss.

  “I don’t know, Jared. I’ve never lived in an apartment before. Part of me thinks it would be cool to try it, and part of me wonders about living so close to other people. You know?”

  “But, Charly, look at the light coming into this room. I could paint here all day.” Lydia sighed.

  Jared had taken the ladies to a few rental condos that were available for long-term rent, as opposed to vacation rentals. In the Pawley’s Island area of the Grand Strand, vacation rentals were the bread-and-butter of Crawford and Benton Real Estate, but they still did residential sales and rentals.

  “I understand.” Jared pursed his lips in thought. “I do have one place that’s not listed. Not yet anyway.”

  “Condo or house?”

  “House, right on the beach. It’s small but nice.”

  “Where is it?

  He quirked an eyebrow at her. “It’s Sarah’s beach house.”

  “Are you serious?” Charly’s eyes bugged in surprise. “You would rent that?”

  “You are kidding me.” Lydia put her hands on her hips and stared, deadpan.

  Jared shrugged. “It’s sitting empty. From time to time we let people stay there if there is an overflow at Pilot Oaks, but most of the time it’s just collecting dust, and it’s too nice to not be used. We wouldn’t rent it to just anybody, after all. Y’all are family.”

  She flung her arms around Jared’s neck and squeezed. “Jared, you’re the best brother in the world, and at this point I would even tell Tom that!”

  “So . . . you’re interested?”

  “Depends on how much rent we’re talking.” Lydia eyed him shrewdly.

  He gave them a number that was well below the going rate for the condos and houses they had looked at today.

  “No, really, how much?” Charly glared at him.

  “Your glare does nothing. I live with Sarah, remember? Charly, if you’re living in the house, we’ll feel better about it and won’t have to check on it as much. And you won’t be renting from the company; you’ll be renting from us. I had it put in Sarah’s name when we got married.”

  “Does it still have the blue leather couch in it?”

  “’Fraid not. We took that to the new house on Pilot Oaks Road.” He nodded his head and sighed. “I helped pick that couch out, you know.”

  “I’ve heard the stories, including how that was Tom and Lucy’s first date.”

  He laughed, the red tinge on the tips of his ears adorable. “Good times, great couch.”

  Charly looked at Lydia with raised eyebrows. When she got the affirmative nod, she stuck her hand out. “Mr. Benton, you have a deal, and I’ll throw in free babysitting. Shake on it, and don’t you dare spit on your palm.”

  He shook both their hands and grinned. “You’re no fun. I have the keys in the car if you want them now.” He raised his eyebrows.

  “You knew about this all along, didn’t you?”

  “Maybe. When Sarah heard you were looking for a place, this was the first place she thought of, so it was her idea. She liked the idea of you living there, and it was her last place to live as a single girl. She and Lucy had a great time staying together right before the wedding.”

&n
bsp; “I guess it worked for her, didn’t it? Who knows, maybe it will be the last place I’ll live as a single girl.” She winked at Lydia and gave him a pointed look.

  He frowned. “Anything I should know?”

  She was sure the warmth of her face told him everything he needed to know.

  Charly pulled in the driveway of what she would always consider “Sarah’s beach house,” and parked beside Jared’s SUV.

  He dangled the keys on his finger, smiling at their excitement. “Who wants to do the honors?”

  Charly and Lydia looked at one another, then nodded. “We turn the key together.” Charly grinned at Jared. “I still can’t believe it.”

  “Believe it. And enjoy it.” He looked at his phone to check the time. “If you ladies are all right, I’ll leave you to it. I’ve got another appointment in twenty minutes, and I’ll just make it if I leave now. Any questions before I go?”

  “Don’t we need to sign a lease?”

  “No lease between family. Come by the office sometime this week and I’ll give you all the paperwork you’ll need for changing the utilities. I want you to enjoy this house and consider it yours while you’re here.” He checked the time again. “Gotta go. Have fun.”

  “You know we will.” Charly gave him another hug for good measure, and after unlocking the door with Lydia, she watched as he backed out of the drive.

  Her own house. Well, kind of. Their own house. This could spoil a person. Some of her friends had rented during college, but this was different. It wasn’t a decrepit apartment with particle-board furniture from the big box store.

  But this? After Jared left, Charly and Lydia poked around the house alternately twirling and squealing all the way to the French doors that overlooked the patio and led to the beach. She felt overwhelmed, giddy, blessed.

  “God, You knew this was going to happen all along, didn’t You? Thank You. Forgive me for doubting You. You’ve put me close enough to all my people and my church, and I can still check on Mom and get to her in a hurry. But You have all that in mind, too, don’t You?”

  She poked around the kitchen, smiling as she remembered coming over when Sarah and Jared lived here after their wedding.

  Out of the awed silence came Lydia’s chuckle. “Do you remember how full this house was after the wedding shower?” It was full to the brim of wedding gifts, and the cabinets were overflowing as they made this their home during the renovation of their forever home on Pilot Oaks Road.

  Charly nodded. “It was crazy. Wouldn’t have been a problem at Jared’s house, but it’s a good thing the stuff was here when the hurricane hit.”

  “Definitely.”

  The rose bush by the front door had been pruned, and flowers lined the sidewalk. All they needed to do was bring their things in and make it into their home.

  Lydia looked at her phone. “Yikes. I was supposed to be at the store fifteen minutes ago. I haven’t told Mom and Dad yet.” She looked up at Charly, wide-eyed. “I expected this to take longer than a half a day.”

  “Like, maybe, two half-days?” Charly giggled girlishly.

  “Uh, yeah, at least.” Lydia winked. “Gotta git. See you later?”

  “Yeah. Rance and I are going to the beach later. Maybe we’ll see you?”

  “Maybe. Depends on the customers today. Last week we had a run at the last minute, and it was after seven before we closed. I’ll need to start packing, so I’ll see you at church in the morning.”

  “Gotcha. Just think, next week, we’ll be living here!”

  “On the beach!” The girls hugged and laughed once more, taking a selfie of the two of them before they parted.

  Charly was still wandering around when she felt her silenced phone buzz with a text. Her smile grew wide when she saw that it was Rance.

  How’s the apartment hunt? Still on for this afternoon?

  He wouldn’t believe how well the house hunt went. She sent him the address and the selfie of the two girls inside the house.

  Success! Meet me at my new house!

  Was she being forward? Silly. She was an adult. He was an adult. It wasn’t like she was arranging a tryst.

  Nice. Be there in a few.

  She was glad she thought to bring her beach bag with her, so she could change here.

  Now. Furniture. It was somewhat furnished for rental purposes and not her style. Maybe she would get Tom to bring her a few things from the attic of their home place, and chances were Lydia’s folks had excess stuff too. Time for an archaeological expedition. Lydia would be up for that, she was sure.

  She punched in her mom’s number. She couldn’t wait one more minute.

  “Mom!”

  “Charlotte? Is that you?”

  “Well, besides Tom and Lucy, who else would call you ‘Mom?’ Yes, it’s me. We found a place! Well, Jared found it, and it was Sarah’s idea, so I guess you could say Sarah found it.”

  “Slow down, sweetheart! Where is it, and will I approve?”

  “You’ll love it. It’s Sarah’s beach house!”

  “Sarah’s house? Are you sure you girls can afford it?” Leave it to Mom to worry about money.

  “Yes, Mom, I can afford it.” She gave her the amount of the rent. “I know, it sounds too low, and I’m sure part of it is because we’re family, but, oh, Mom, it’s amazing.”

  “I went over there after the wedding. Very easy to navigate, even for me.” There was a pause. “There are a few pieces Tom put in the attic that would be perfect for that house.”

  Charly laughed. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. I remember an old kitchen cupboard that has been up there ever since I remember. Painted white? Remember?”

  “Oh my, yes. That was my grandmother’s. It has a flour bin and built-in sifter. Not much use for it these days, but it’s a nice piece of furniture. Mama had it hauled up there when I was a girl. Only the best, most modern for her at the time.”

  She walked into the kitchen and dining area, looking at a blank wall. “We have the perfect place for it.”

  “It’ll be nice to have those old things used again. I think there’s a box of extra kitchen stuff up there too. Neither Lucy nor I could stand to get rid of it, and she had a house full of stuff from her house in Kentucky, so we packed it up for you, when you might need it.”

  “I’m so glad you did. Something about using the old stuff that you and Grandma used makes it more special.”

  Her mother’s soft laugh warmed her. “We’ll get you set up, young lady. I wish I could be more help.”

  “Don’t you worry about that. I’m meeting Rance and going to the beach for a while, so don’t look for me before dark. Need me to pick up anything on my way home?”

  “We’re ’bout out of butter, so better pick it up if you want any on your toast tomorrow.”

  Charly laughed. “Will do. Text me or call if you think of anything else. Love you, Mama!”

  “Love you, too, sweetheart. Be careful.”

  “I will.”

  She pushed the button to end the call and headed out the door to get her beach bag, thinking the whole time. Note to self. Patio furniture and welcome mat.

  Rance drove up to the quaint beach house in time to see Charly closing her car door, carrying a bag. He got out of the convertible and slammed his door, smiling at her excited wave.

  “It’s pink!” He laughed as he stood in front of the house, taking it all in.

  “And don’t you forget it, mister.” She came and stood beside him, admiring her new abode.

  “Wow. I never knew anyone to find a house and take possession as fast as this.”

  “Then you never knew anyone that has an ‘in’ with a great realtor.” She winked at him and nodded.

  He noted her high color and grinned down at her. “Can I see the inside?”

  “Of course. Jared had the keys with him when he brought me out here. I need to remember to get extra keys made before I go home tonight.”

  She was proud of her new place, he c
ould tell.

  “This is great. If I had a place this nice, I might spend more time there.”

  “Where do you live?”

  “Oh, it’s a little apartment in Georgetown not far from the hospital. Vintage 1980s.” He laughed and wrinkled his nose. “Mirrors everywhere.”

  She winced. “Ouch. Most of this furniture is Crawford and Benton stuff, for rental purposes, so we’ll bring our own furniture in. Mom’s got a ton of stuff in the attic from when we traded houses with Tom and Lucy.”

  “Wait, you traded houses?” Interesting family.

  “Yes. When Mom went blind, she needed to downsize and wanted to sell the home place, but instead, Tom offered to trade houses with her. He wanted to raise his kids in the old house where we grew up, and it’s a good thing, because his family started growing right off the bat.” Her giggle made him smile.

  “You are all close, aren’t you?” What was that little pang that he felt in the region of his heart? Was it a little jealousy?

  “We are. We’ve had to stick together. I don’t know what I would do without my family. Lyd and I are ready to find out how to live on our own, and something tells me we won’t have a hard time.”

  “You won’t. At least your family is still nearby, and you won’t be alone. This isn’t much more than a mile from your mom’s house.”

  “And about that far to Tom’s. I know Jared’s giving us an unbelievable deal, but when he offered this place, we couldn’t pass it up.”

  He could see the thoughts tumbling upon each other in her head. She is woman, see her plan. He walked over to the French doors. “You are right on the beach. This is amazing.”

  “I know, right? It’s all public beaches through here, but it’s houses instead of condos, so it’s never crowded like it is at the Huntington Beach entrance.”

  “If I owned this, I don’t know if I could rent it out.”

  “Oh, Jared and Sarah live down the road from Pilot Oaks, so they have access to the beach any time they want. Speaking of access, I brought my stuff in to change. If you want to change here, we can “beach” from my own backyard if you’d like.

  “Sounds great. I’ll bring in the food and my bag.” He grinned. “Congratulations on the place. It suits you.” He turned and went out the front door, whistling.